Fashion

I wanted to love it. I wanted to love it SO much you have no idea. I've been a fan of the OG Priming Moisturizer for a long time (that's my third tube up there) and I had very, very high hopes for Priming Moisturizer Rich. Glossier essentially crowd-sourced the formula, drawing inspiration from a very lengthy comment thread back in 2016. They encouraged readers to post about their dream moisturizer, and they said they would create it.

And they did. Kinda.

The formula is gorgeously hydrating, which, as the prime function of a moisturizer, is great. But we have some serious textural issues and a fragrance that is...off-putting, to say the least. The cream is scented with lavender extract, which, while "all-natural", still heavily perfumes the formula and transports you right out of your bathroom and into a health food store. Imagine my surprise as I opened this beautifully designed jar, only to have the scent of stale bath salts come wafting up through my nostrils. If it's not obvious, I hate lavender.

Some loyal ITGers have complained about said scent, along with the use of jar-style packaging (#unsanitary!!!!!! but I'm sometimes w/e on this debate) and the presence of nut/seed oils. My biggest issue with the formula is actually the high amount of slip that it has. This stuff has a HEAVY silicone feel, to the point where it inhibits absorption and I feel it sitting on top of my skin for ~10 minutes after I apply. Because of this I have not reached for it much outside of the occasional boredom-induced dramatization of my nightly routine.

And honestly, the above is surprising because dimethicone is the only silicone in the formula and it's not that close to the top. Personally, I will be sticking with Priming Moisturizer OG, as I prefer something that's more lightweight and quicker to absorb - even on my dryer days (I'm generally normal-oily).

Let's get to the comparison:

Priming Moisturizer

What It Is

Light & buildable moisturizer in a tube. No frills but very effective. Fast at hydrating. Unscented!

Good for?

Bad for?

Ultra-dry skin types

Super-acneic skin (contains shea butter but farther down on the ingredients list)

Anyone sensitive to fatty acids

Any big triggers?

Stearic & Palmitic Acids

Shea Butter

I love this formula! As I mentioned, I've gone through a few tubes and really enjoy it. Sometimes I'm irritated by the shorter tube mouth, as the cap is flatter and falls out of my hand often as I screw it on. But I'm silly and quite snobbish.

Priming Moisturizer Rich

What It Is

Dense, rich face cream in a jar. Non-greasy but does have a heavy silicone feel. Scented with lavender extract.

Price & Price Per Oz:

$35; $20.50 per oz

What It Does

Nourishes dry skin with a blend of multiple nut oils, butters, fatty acids and ceramides. This is your heavier-duty winter cream. The same "anti-redness complex" is here too.

Good for?

Normal to dry skin types

Anyone who loves earthy-scented or "green" smelling beauty products

Your chic #itgtopshelfie

Bad for?

Oily or acneic skin types (you may not like the feel, but the shea / murumuru combo may also trigger a breakout)

Fragrance phobes. Although lavender extract is natural it can be sensitizing and most acne-prones will stay away

Anyone sensitive to fatty acids, heavy butters or waxes, etc.

Any big triggers?

Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol (among lots of other fatty alcohols)

Shea Butter

Kukui Oil (this is pretty balanced in terms of linoleic/linolenic/oleic but throwing it out as a precaution)

My biggest success with the above was not experiencing a breakout after using the formula. I seem to be okay with most fatty alcohols after pretty extensive self-testing, and I'm fine with shea as well. That being said, the textural issues still put me off from using regularly (as does the scent).

I'm definitely interested to see what Glossier has next for us in the moisturizer department...I'm betting an oil, or some kind of fluid-like emulsion or milk. Until then!

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